The start

Hello!

In September 1977, my mother lent me forty pence to buy a copy of Practical Electronics magazine. Little did I know that moment was to kick off my career in software development.

In that magazine was the first of a series of articles on the PE CHAMP project, a programmable microprocessor system based on a 4-bit—yes, 4-bit—device. Over nearly fifty years, I have seen the software profession rise, scale, and now evolve through the introduction of Artificial Intelligence.

For me, writing software was never the end game. It was about how life could be improved by the application of software and hardware. We now have embedded systems in everything from our toothbrushes, our cars and our homes. Behind the scenes, systems provide our power, our internet, our food, and our next-day delivery, of course.

I am proud to have worked in such a life-changing industry. I have had the chance to work across many different countries and sectors. It even brought me to Australia, a place I have called home now for over half my life.

So why start writing novels rather than code? Events transpired that allowed me to retire earlier than expected. It has given me the time to turn my love of technology and storytelling into a new career.

At high school, when given an assignment to write a story, I spent three weeks filling my workbook with a story about a spy. To this day I remember the teacher giving me an A with the comment, 007 has nothing on this.

I think that it was that initial experience of being absorbed by the story that set my preferred genre of thrillers. The pace, the excitement and the twists and turns of the plot make writing as interesting as reading. On a previous attempt, my wife asked me if I was going to bed. I replied that I couldn’t right now as I wanted to know what happened. “But you’re writing it,” she replied, "you must know what happens next!" If you have written yourself, you have probably encountered times when the story takes you in an unexpected direction. That's what I love about writing.

While I like thrillers, the engineer in me wants to bring the intersection of people and technology to my stories and so it is that my books are techno-thrillers. I don't write to show off my technology skills but to introduce concepts that you will understand but may have never thought about.

In today's world, technology is advancing more rapidly than ever before. Some believe that it may be advancing too quickly for us mere humans to keep up with, but I have more faith in us than that. Superintelligent AI may be around the corner and it will challenge us. I believe we will come out on top.

If the impact of AI on society and our everyday lives intrigues you, take a small step into the future with me.

My debut techno-thriller is expected in February 2027. Watch this space for updates!